Poster: Low-Effect HCPs: Could Your Project Qualify for this Path to Timely Compliance?
26 Mar 19
4:30 PM
-
5:30 PM
Tracks:
USFWS and the Wind Industry
Low-effect HCPs (LE HCPs) may support issuance of an ITP where impacts to listed species are minor or negligible. While to date, few wind projects have sought an ITP though a LE HCP, as we better understand the impacts of wind projects on listed species, the prediction of limited impacts from take may become more common. A LE HCP is typically quicker, simpler, and less expensive to develop, and because the impacts are minor, mitigation and monitoring costs associated with the conservation plan are also generally lower than with other HCPs. LE HCPs must be eligible for a NEPA Categorical Exclusion, and Regional review may be delegated to the Field Office, substantially reducing the complexity of the process to an ITP. Knowing when and how your project may qualify for a LE HCP can be a valuable siting and planning tool. Using both real and illustrative examples, we will describe the relevant HCP guidance for LE HCPs, and the advantages gained using this Section 10 permitting approach. Current agency perspectives for the use of LE HCPs in wind project compliance will also be described.